Veterans

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. Thank you for your service. Whatever you're facing right now, a housing problem, a health need, or a rough patch, you earned support, and there are people in Florida whose whole job is helping veterans like you.

Here is the easy first step: if you don't have a stable place to live, or think you might lose it soon, call the VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877.424.3838. It's at no cost and open 24/7.

A few things to know

• You choose. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise benefits, housing or a spot in any program.
• Hours and details change. Call ahead when you can.
• In danger right now? Call 911. In crisis? Dial 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, or text 838255.

What if I'm a veteran without a place to live?

VA says that if you're a veteran without stable housing, or you think you might lose your housing soon, VA can help. Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877.424.3838 (877.4AID.VET), any time, day or night.

You can also chat with VA online.

VA homeless programs include:

• Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF). VA says SSVF grants provide housing stability services to low income veteran families who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
• HUD VASH. A program from HUD and VA that pairs rental vouchers with VA case management.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.va.gov/homeless/nationalcallcenter.asp

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Don't have your DD 214?

Don't let missing papers stop you from calling. Tell them what you have. A County Veteran Service Officer can help you request your records. Easy peasy!

How do I get VA health care?

VA says you may be eligible for VA health care if you served in the active military, naval or air service and didn't get a dishonorable discharge. If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, VA says you generally must have served 24 continuous months or the full period you were called to active duty, though some exceptions apply.

• Apply online at va.gov, by mail, or in person at a VA medical center.
• Apply by phone at 877.222.8387, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/

You stood up for all of us. Now let us stand with you. Asking for help is part of the mission, friend.

From the Bunklow team

Who can help me with VA benefits at no cost?

The Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs (FDVA) says its State Veterans' Service Officers give no cost benefits counseling and help filing VA claims. Call FDVA Benefits and Assistance at 727.319.7440.

• Every Florida county has a County Veteran Service Office. They help at no cost, too. Your county office is in the list later in this guide.
• VA's main information line, MyVA411, is open 24/7 at 800.698.2411.
• Beware of anyone who charges you to file a claim. No cost help is available.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://floridavets.org/benefits-services/

How do I get my discharge papers back?

If you lost your DD 214, you can request a copy of your military records from the National Archives. Your County Veteran Service Officer can help you ask for them.

Have your full name used in service, your service number or Social Security number, branch, and dates of service ready.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records

Where can I get help if I'm struggling?

The Veterans Crisis Line is at no cost, private and open 24/7. Dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call. Family members and friends can call, too.

• VA medical centers also offer mental health care. Ask your VA about walk in care.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

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Tell them you served

When you call 211, a shelter or a food bank, mention that you're a veteran. Some places have extra help just for veterans. It never hurts to ask!

Where can I find work or legal help as a veteran?

• Jobs. CareerSource Florida has a program called For Patriots that connects veterans to careers. Your local career center has staff for veterans, so mention that you served. See Guide 6 for your county's career center.
• Legal help. Some legal aid groups have projects just for veterans. In the Tampa Bay area, Bay Area Legal Services is listed in the county section of this guide. See Guide 13 for no cost legal help near you.
• Training. Ask your County Veteran Service Office about education benefits you may have earned.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.careersourceflorida.com/

What Florida benefits might I have earned?

Florida has its own benefits for veterans, on top of VA benefits. Here are a few that FDVA and the state's motor vehicle agency list.

• Property tax help. FDVA says a veteran with a VA certified service connected disability of 10 percent or more can get a $5,000 property tax exemption. A veteran honorably discharged with a service connected, permanent and total disability may have their homestead fully exempt from property tax. Apply with your county property appraiser.
• Surviving spouses. FDVA says the homestead of a surviving spouse of a service member who died from service connected causes on active duty is also exempt.
• "Veteran" on your license or ID. Florida veterans can add a Veteran designation to their driver license or ID card. Many stores use it for military discounts.
• No fee license or ID. Veterans with a 100 percent service connected disability may be able to get a driver license or ID card, and the Veteran designation, at no fee. Ask FLHSMV.
• Need someone to talk to? The Florida Veterans Support Line is 844.693.5838 (844.MyFLVet), or dial 211.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.floridavets.org/benefits-services/housing/ and https://www.flhsmv.gov/military/ and https://www.floridavets.org/benefits-services/

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Ask about every benefit

Your County Veteran Service Officer can tell you which state and local benefits fit you, at no cost. Bring your papers to the first visit.

Can an older or disabled veteran get care in a Florida state veterans' home?

Yes, if they qualify. FDVA runs eight skilled nursing homes and one assisted living home for veterans.

Nurses are on duty around the clock.

• Who can get in. FDVA lists an honorable discharge, Florida residency before admission, and a VA doctor's note that the veteran needs assisted living or nursing care. Eligible spouses can be admitted when there's space.
• Assisted living. The Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans' Domiciliary Home is at 751 SE Sycamore Terrace, Lake City. Call 386.758.0600.
• Nursing homes. They are in Daytona Beach (386.274.3460), Land O' Lakes (813.558.5000), Pembroke Pines (954.985.4824), Panama City (850.747.5401), Port Charlotte (941.613.0919), St. Augustine (904.940.2193), Port St. Lucie (772.241.6132) and Orlando (407.741.4614).
• Each home has an admissions coordinator who can explain the application.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://floridavets.org/locations/state-veterans-nursing-homes/

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Florida

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Miami Dade County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Broward County (Fort Lauderdale)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Palm Beach County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Hillsborough County (Tampa)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Orange County (Orlando)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Duval County (Jacksonville)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Pinellas County (St. Petersburg and Clearwater)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lee County (Fort Myers)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Polk County (Lakeland)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Brevard County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My veteran plan

Fill this in with a pen, or snap a photo and keep it on your phone. You've got this!

Key numbers to keep

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Please let me know if you have any questions

If something in this guide is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Thank you again for your service. Make it a great day, friend!

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Sources were first checked on October 16, 2026. New sources were added, and every link was checked again on October 18, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

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Last updated October 18, 2026